Fluid velocity responsive regulating or indicating means



Feb. 17, 1953 D. KLEISS 2,628,499

FLUID VELOCITY RESPONSIVE REGULATING OR INDICATING MEANS Filed May 16,1949 I 6| 81* 1 82 I 44 I o :62 1 8 l' RECORDING [7/3 5 PRESSURE GAGE la7: CONTROLLED AIR 72 0 1 9 73 2 74 1 M-L 77 7e? REGULATING ELEMENT H3FIG. 4.

F IGZI;

I6 :2 g 1 a INVENTOR.

L.D.KLEISS FIG. 2

A T TORNEKS Patented Feb. 17, 1953 GFFHCE FLUID VELOCITY RESPONSIVEREGULA'r- ING OR' INDICATENG MEANS Loui D. Kleiss, Berger, Tex, assignorto Phillips Petroleum comp ny, a corporation or Delaware Application May16, 1949, Serial No. 93,586

6 Claims.

h s inv n i n l es to devi e e o si e. t he ate. lo f a flowin fl i n,one as ec it has particular relation to fluid velocity indicatins an rsir i s e h a m ans r a rying out the same. In another specific aspectit relates to, regulating the Operation ot a system response to thevelocity of flow of a fluid in a ort n f t e System- Numerousdisadvantages exist in fluid velocity indicating, recording andcontrolling devices of the prior art. Many have a sliding seal, or areciprocating rod passing through a stufiing box. The triction on such aseal is high and quite variable, which results in inaccurate readings,and pressure inside the meter tends to extrude. the sliding shaftcausing a false reading. It is important to avoid having the buoyancy ofthe float afiect the reading. It is important to avoid setting up eddycurrents in the fluid, or building up sludge deposits, or trappingvapor, as often occurs when the meter has a long unif orrn centralpassage for the fluid. In measuring volatile and inflammable liquids andgases, it is dangerous to employ electrica1 apparatus One object of thepresent invention is to provide an improved method of measuring thevelocity of a fluid and improved means for carrying out this method.

Another object is to provide a method and means of recording saidvelocity.

Another object is to provide a method and means of controlling andregulating a portion of a system by said velocity of said fluid.

Numerous other objects and advantages 'will be apparent to those skilledin the art upon read- 9 ing the specification, claims and drawings."

Figure l is an elevational View of the external portion of a systemembodying the presentinvention with parts in cross section" to showdetails of construction. v Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of theapparatus shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional elevational view of the apparatus shown inFigure 2 taken along the line 3-3 looking in the direction indicated.Figure 4 is a modification of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 which alsoembodiesthe present invention.

Figure 5 is a diagram of another system embodying the present invention.

Figure 1.. a base i i p ided, to h c th por e s he armies ma -sec1....d-. A shown in Figure 2 the base 5 is secured to cond t h h which efluid. th velocity o which to be measured, is flowing by housin firehazards or disposal pmmems;

" lating valve 22 set to maintain co 2 6 and suitable fastening meanssuch as machine crews. a as hown i u e 3. the fluid. s le ns brousbassase H cend t 1 in th d recime nd cate by he a ro .The flu x rts a f ron a et i his. d te m 'b th ve ocit f he fluid W More? se e ea ra ed a di rou h y 'i 'o rti na t the squa roo of th velocity th fl d wi h n hQQhdl it H- n. Figure 3v a h f .1 vo ed to sa d b se it about an axisdisposed perpendicular tothe dir t n of flow o aid l i aid a t it. h rlever r 14 sec red o s haft d. tending into said fillid in l i. A targetl 2 is pref;- a r secured to ve a m in. Orde t obtain a m r c ate r s la th ugh it shou d be un s oo that l ve arm its ld be us d without aspecial target to obtain results orsome lu fact t r e mes e inte a wit eM i si e an ay e r arded a a arof arm it. While various forms for targetl2 ma b e ed h a a S h re. or la disjc (not shown),it is preferred toeinploy a target h in a l t fac It a a stream in d. ta l portion I? sothat the full force of the fluid strikes face is and tail [1 preventsorn iniinizes the setting up of eddy currents or turbulence in thefluid. Shaft l3 passes through suitable ing which allows rotation butpreferably. prevents reciprocation. nd eme e outs e o ondu t 1 a Shownin Figure 1 y Pa sin rou h and base 6. I

In Figure l a som of Pressur luid! ret abl'y compressed air, is shown inthe form of an air cylinder {8 which is connected to a body is by meansof a conduit 2!. Oh other sources or 'pressurefluid, such as orcompressors may. be employed, and other pr sure fluids may be usedincluding "not only gases but liquids. Obviously; air is preferable b itcan be released to the atmosphere witho any o v rse a do ice willoperate more 'a'ccuratelyjwith a con.- stant pressure which maybeobtained by 'ny known rneanssuch as a constant h ns h t. to check thispressure -fro'rn time to may be done b ii talling'a suitable pi ssurlegage 23 connected to line 2| assho i" X sure downstream of the vane;

w th the c v lve 21' ai di' dbl? 1 Seat on either one of valve seats 28or 29 which form opposite ends of chamber 24. Prossure fluid fromconduit 2i enters chamber 24 through seat 28 and escapes from chamber 24by seat 29 and exhaust conduit 3i to the atmosphere depending upon theposition of valve 21'.

A second fluid pressure supply conduit 32 is provided which connects toconduit 2| through a restricted orifice 33. Conduit 32 has two branches,34 and 35. Branch 34 communicates with a fluid motor 37, the preferredform being a capsular chamber. This capsular chamber is merely a closedchamber secured to base 6 and having a movable top preferably in theform of a corrugated diaphragm (common in aneroid barometers) but themovable top may be a piston tting in a cylinder, or other equivalents(not shown).

Moving with top 38 of chamber 37 is a rod 39 which is secured to top 33by any suitable adjusting means 4!. Means 4| allows adjustment of thelength of rod 39 between valve 21 and top 38.

The other branch 38 runs to an open nozzle 42, which nozzle ispositioned relative to second lever arm 43 by means of support 44movab-ly mounted on base so it may be placed in an adjusted position.One means of adjusting the position of nozzle 42 is to have a spring 46urging support 64 to the right and a screw 41 in 2. lug 48 for movingsupport 44 to the right or left, lug 48 being secured to base 6.

Shaft l3, which was seen to have first lever arm M secured to it inFigure 3, has a second lever arm 53 secured to it as shown in Figure 1.While nozzle 42 could blow directly on lever arm E3, it

is possible to secure better control by having a small pad 49 secured onthe arm and contacting the nozzle 32 when urged against the same. Pad 49may be any resilient material such as rubber or plastic, but it shouldnot yield too much as otherwise it will introduce a lag into thereadings. Rather than have it yielding enough to introduce a lag, it ispreferable to have pad 59 made out of steel, as the device will work ina suitable manner with a steel pad.

Control conduit 26 communicates with a recording conduit 5| and aregulating conduit 52 through branch conduit 53. The recording conduit5| communicates with a recording pressure gage 54 which contains theusual clo-ck driven chart 56 and pressure positioned arm 57 having a penor other marking means on its end.

Regulating conduit 52 leads to a suitable fluid motor 58. Motor 58 isshown as a diaphragm type expansible chamber motor (which motors areoften provided with a spring return for the diaphragm (not shown). Aregulating element 59 is driven by fluid motor 58 and may be used tooperate a throttle valve 6 I controlling a flow through conduit 62 asshown.

Conduit 62 is merely an example as any other element may be regulatedsuch as electrical switches or the like in its place, whereby a systemcontaining the same may be regulated by the velocity of fluid in pipeII. For example pipe 62 may contain steam or pressure fluid from asource 80 of the same driving a motor 8! (see Figure 5) having anexhaust 82 and the motor may be driving a pump 83 pumping fluid fromline 84 into conduit 85 of which conduit H is a part, which pump isresponsible for the velocity or" fluid in conduit II, in which case thevelocity of fluid in I I may be regulated and kept constant by thesystem of Figure 5 as an increase in velocity in H operating thecontrols on base 6 as shown in Figure 1 might be employed to reduce thepower furnished to the pump 33 from motor 8| through the usualmechanical connection 86 by the apparatus on base 6 throttling the flowof fluid in line 62 by closing valve 6| through regulating elcment 59 asconnected in Figure 1.

Base 6 is secured to arm 8 by screws 6-3 by pro viding a plurality ofholes 64, the base 6 may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly from theposition shown in Figure 1 in order to give the instrument a diiferentrange of velocities to control. Similarly arm 43 may be made removablefrom shaft 13 so that arms of different lengths may be substituted, andshaft I 3 can emerge from hole 65, or a hole an equal distance below I 3when base 6 is adjusted down or up as stated.

Conduit 2 6 communicates with Bourdon tube 65 through a fitting 61,which is secured to base 6. While the preferred form is a Bourdon tube,it is understood that another form of fluid motor such as a bellows,diaphragm, or cylinder and piston may be employed. Bourdon tube 65 isclosed at its other end which end 68 is secured to arm 43 by pivot 69. Aseries of holes 76 may be provided so that pivot 69 may be placed in anyone of the same to vary the elfect of Bourdon tube 68. Holes 64, 65 and1B are all equally spaced.

In Figure 4, a simpler form of the apparatus is shown. Shaft l3 emergesthrough base 7!. Base H is mounted on conduit 1 in the same manner asbase 6. Shaft l3 has a second lever arm 72 (corresponding to arm 43).

Conduit 2i is a source of air under constant pressure and may consist oftank l8, regulating valve 22 and pressure gage 23 as shown in Figure 1.Air from 2! passes through a restricted orifice 73 into a chamber M fromwhich it may pass through fitting 16 secured to base I! into Bourdontube "H.

Bourdon tube 17 is difierent from Bourdon tube 66 because tube 65 wasclosed whereas tube Ti has an open nozzle 18 at its end. Nozzle i8 issecured to arm E2 and as arm 72 rotates about pivot is, nozzle 78 isurged against lug 79 secured tobase if 1.

Chamber i4 communicates with connecting conduit 53. The same number isgiven conduit 53 in Figure 4 as in Figure 1 because it may be connectedto a recording pressure gage 54 by conduit 5! and/or a fluid motor 58connected to it by conduit 52 as may be desired.

Operation The operation of the species shown in Figure l is as follows:

A relatively constant air pressure is being maintained in conduit 2i bya suitable means such as cylinder l8 and regulating'valve 22 regardlessof the position of valve 27. Air in 2! is passing through seat 28,bleeding around valve 21, passing through seat 29 and emergin to theatmosphere through exhaust conduit 3%. At the same time air in conduit2! is bleeding through orifice 33, conduit 32 and conduit 35 to pass outnozzle 42 to the atmosphere. The amount of air that bleeds throughnozzle 42 depends on the retary position around pivot [3 of arm &3carrying pad 49 which obstructs nozzle 42 to a greater or lesser degreedepending on the position of arm The pressure in conduit 3 variesaccording to the amount of pressure fluid escaping through nozzle t2because restricted orifice 33 restricts the replacement of fluid lostthrough nozzle 32 from constant pressure source 2!. The pressure inconduit 34 is balanced against atmospheric pressure by top 38 of chamber37. The top 38 deforms as the pressure in chamber 31 rises movvalve: 21to close. seat 28 andv at the. same time the more. top 38 is distorted,the greater stress. is created in top 38,. which stress adds. a. forceto that of the atmosphere; tending? to resist the pressure oi'fluidinchamber 3?.

Chamber 24 is communicating with either or both constant. pressuresource 2 1, and/or exhaust conduit 3! and the pressure in 26- dependson. the position of. valve 27. Bourdon tube 56 is. at. the same pressureas conduit 26 and as this pressure increases the Bourdon tube 66 isstraightened out moving arm 33 to rotate about pivot 83 and close.nozzle 42. withpad 38. At the same time the pressure in 26 and. 66 alsois maintained in conduits 55, 52 and 53 where it may be recorded onrecording pressure gage :3 and may be used to operate fluid motor 58 tomove regulating element 59 to open or close valve Si or operate anyother regulator, such as a switch or bank of electrical switches (notshown).

The parts of Figure l are so proportioned and constructed that with aconstant fluid velocity in conduit H which velocity is in the centralportion of the measuring range of the instrument, valve 2? willmaintain. position intermediate seats 28 and 23 and pad I59 will notquite close nozzle $52 so that pressure fluid will be leaking out oinozzle 42 and out of exhaust conduit 3!. Suppose then the velocity ofthe fluid in H increases:

With the increased velocity more force ex erted on target 48 movinglever arm hi and shaft i 3 counter-clockwise about the center of 53. Arm63 moves 5.3 a little further from nozzle 42, more air escapes fromnozzle t2 and the pressure in 84 goes down. The stress in top 3% plusatmospheric pressure plus the force of gravity ii rod 33 is in thevertical portion causes top 38 to move down against the reduced pressurein 3? until sufiicient stress in 38 is relieved to balance the forces ontop 38. Valve 2'! has taken a new position nearer seat 29 so less airescapes through exhaust conduit 3!. This builds up pressure in conduitsii, 52 and and in Eour-don tube 66. Increased pressure in Bourdon tubetends to straighten the same and through pivot 59 to move arm :33clockwise in resistance to the counter clockwise movement caused by theincrease in velocity of the fluid in pipe ii. Pad 43 therefore moves torestrict nozzle 2 which in turn builds up pressure in conduits 35 and3-5 and tends to move valve 27 away from seat 25. It will therefore, beseen that whatever force is created by the fluid flowing in conduit 1 2,that force against target i2 creates throng the mechanism mounted onbase 5 an equal opposite force so that target i2 does not move more thanabout 3% of inch in actual practice. The distance that target moves isnot critical and can be made larger or smaller, the greatest movementbeing at the highest velocity of fluid in i i that the device willmeasure.

his equal and opposite force on target 12 depends on pressure inconduits 26, 5!, 52 and 53 Bourdon tube 66. Since the force exerted bythe Bourdon tube is roughly equal to its cross sectional area times thepressure in the tube, this pressure in conduit 5! is a function of thevelocity of the fluid in conduit 1 i and by proper caiibration may berecorded as such on pressure gage 5 because the force on target [2varies roughly as the square root of the veiocity of the fluid flowingwithin conduit H.

Similarly this same pressure in conduit 52 may control a fluid motor 58Which in turn may regu late through. asuitable re ulating; element 59..any desired. part: of; the system. For purpos s; or ii..- lustr ion, inkge lement: 58 opens: 01:- close valve 61,. controlling: the flowof;fluidthroueh pip 52;, The amount. of; fluid flowing; throu h pip 6.2 maycontrol any other element, and if desir the. system could be constructedso that the amount; of fluid flowing; through 62 would control the:velocity of; fluid in. H so that the. system would be a means. of.mainta he a. constan velocity or fluid in H. If.- conduittt. were sup ying: pressure fluid. to operate motor 81 to. dr ve pump 83': as. shownin. Figure 5. and as; des rib above to. tome fluid through H such, wouldbe theicase.

The opera-ti .n. of Fi ure 4. is; similar excep that; it; simpler and.more direct. A. constan air; pressure. is; maintained in. 2|, but. airpressure. variesin. chamber 14 because. of; losses through. nozzle it:When target, i2. is moved counter-clockwise about the. axis. of shaftl-i by fluid; in H, this moves, arm. '13. and nozzle 58 against, lugi9... Less. air escapes from. nozzle [8 and the pressure in Bourdontube. Ii, chamber 1.4. and conduit; 53. goes. up. This rising pressuretends to straighten out Bourdon. tube. H: to move arm '52. clockwiseabout 13.: and counterbalance the. force on target It, at. the same timeallowing escape of. more air between. nozzle. 78. and lug i9. Ittherefore is. evident that. a balance. of forces set up in Figure. 4similar to that of Figure 1, and it is also evident that the. pressurein 53 of Figure a may operate a recorder 54 and/or a. fluid motor as asshown in Figure 1.

While I have shown two specific embodiments of my invention, whichembodiments are proferred Ways of practicing the invention, they arenevertheless merely shown for purposes of illustration and should not beregarded as limiting the invention, the scope of which is commensuratewith the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A flow responsive device for controlling an element in response tosaid flow, comprising a base relative to which said fluid is flowing, ashaft pivoted to said base about an axis disposed perpendicular to thedirection of flow of said fluid. a first lever arm secured to said shaftand extending into said fluid, a target on said first lever arm in saidfluid, a second lever arm secured to said shaft, a Bourclc-n tubesecured at one end directly to said second lever arm and at the otherend to said base, a valve body mounted on said base, a chamber in saidbody, said body having a first and second valve seat forming oppositeends of said chamber, a control conduit communicating between theinterior of said Bourdon tube and the interior of said chamberintermediate said seats, a valve in said chamber movable to seat andclose either said first or second valve seats, an exhaust conduitconnecting said first seat to the atmosphere, a source of fluid underconstant pressure, a first supply conduit connecting said second seat tosaid source, a first fiuid motor connected to said valve to move thesame between said seats, a second supply condu-it having a bleed nozzlesecured to said base adjacent to said second lever arm, said secondlever arm being disposed in pivoting about said axis to variablyrestrict flow out of said nozzle, a connecting conduit containing arestricted oriflee therein connecting said first and second supplyconduits, said second" supply conduit bein also connected to said firstfluid motor, and means comprising a second fluid, motor, an element'driven by said second fluid motor and a fourth conduit connecting saidcontrol conduit and said second fluid motor.

2. A flow responsive device for indicating the rate of flow of a flowingfluid comprising a base relative to which said fluid i flowing, a shaftpivoted to said base about an axis disposed perpendicular to thedirection of flow of said fluid, a first lever arm secured to said shaftand extending into saidfluid, a target on said first lever arm in saidfluid, a second lever arm secured to said shaft, 2, Bourdon tube securedto one end directly to said second lever arm and at the other end tosaid base, a valve body mounted on said base, a chamber in said body,said body having a first and second valve seat forming opposite ends ofsaid chamber, a control conduit communicating between the interior ofsaid Bourdon tube and the interior of said chamber intermediate saidseats, a valve in said chamber movable to seat and close either saidfirst or second valve seats, an exhaust conduit connecting said firstseat to the atmosphere, a source of fluid under constant pressure, afirst supply conduit connecting said second seat to said source, a firstfluid motor connected to said valve to move the same between said seats,a second supply conduit having a bleed nozzle secured to said baseadjacent to said second lever arm, said second lever arm being disposedin pivoting about said axis to variably restrict flow out of saidnozzle, a connecting conduit containing a restricted orifice thereinconnecting said first and second supply conduits, said second supplyconduit being also connected to said first fluid motor, and indicatingmeans comprising a pressure gage connected to indicate the same pressureas in said Bourdon tube and thereby indicate the rate of flow of saidfluid.

3. A flow responsive device for controlling an element in response tosaid flow, comprising a base relative to which said fluid is flowing, ashaft pivoted to said base about an axis disposed perpendicular to thedirection of flow of said fluid, a first lever arm secured to said shaftand extending'into said fluid, a second lever arm secured to said shaft,a first fluid motor having relatively movable portions, one portionbeing secured at one end directly to said second lever arm and the otherportion being secured at the other end to said base, a source of fluidunder I constant pressure, a bleed nozzle adjacent to said second leverarm, said second lever arm being disposed in pivoting about said axis tovariably restrict flow out of said nozzle, means forming a restrictedorifice, a first supply conduit connecting said source through saidrestricted orifice to said nozzle, means comprising a second fiuidmotor, an element driven by said second fluid motorand a second conduitconnecting said first fluid motor and said second fluid motor, valvemeansincluding a passage selectively connectible with said source or theatmosphere, a third supply conduit connecting said second conduit withsaid passage, and means responsive to pressure in said first supplyconduit between said orifice and said nozzle to selectively positionsaid valve means to balance the forces on said first lever arm.

i. A flow responsive device for indicating the rate of flow of a flowingfluid comprising a base relative to which said fluid is flowing, a shaftpivoted to said base about an axis disposed perpendicular to thedirection of flow of said fluid, a first lever arm secured to said shaftand extending into said fluid. a second lever arm secured to said shaft,a first fluid motor having relatively movable portions, one portionbeing,

secured at one end directly to said second lever arm and the otherportion being secured at the other end to said base, a source of fluidunder constant pressure, a bleed nozzle adjacent to said second leverarm, said second lever arm being disposed in pivoting about said axis tovariably restrict flow out of said nozzle, means forming a restrictedorifice, a first supply conduit connecting said source through saidrestricted orifice to said nozzle, indicating means comprising apressure gage connected to indicate the pressure in said fluid motor andthereby indicate the rate of flow of said fluid, valve means including apassage selectively connectible with said source or the atmosphere, asecond supply conduit connecting said fluid motor and said pressure gagewith said passage, and means responsive to pressure in said first supplyconduit between said orifice and said nozzle to selectively positionsaid valve means to balance the forces on said first lever arm.

5. A flow responsive device for controlling an element in response tosaid flow, comprising a base relative to which said fluid is flowing, ashaft pivoted to said base about an axis disposed perpendicular to thedirection of flow of said fluid, a first lever arm secured to said shaftand extending into said fluid, a second lever arm secured to said shaft,a first fluid motor having relatively movable portions, one portionbeing secured at one end directly -to said second lever arm and theother portion being secured at the other end to said base, a valve bodymounted on said base, a chamber in said body, said body having a firstand second valve seat forming opposite ends of said chamber, a controlconduit communicating between the interior of said first fluid motor andthe interior of said chamber intermediate said seats, a valve in saidchamber movable to seat and clOso either said first or second valveseats, an exhaust conduit connecting said first seat to the atmosphere,a source of fluid under constant pressure, a'first supply conduitconnecting said second seat to said source, a second fluid motorconnected to said valve to move the same between said seats, a secondsupply conduit having a bleed nozzle secured to said base adjacent tosaid second lever arm, said second lever arm being disposed in pivotingabout said axis to variably restrict flow out of said nozzle, aconnecting conduit containing a restricted orifice therein connectingsaid first and second supply conduits, said second supply conduit beingalso connected to said second fluid motor, and means comprising a thirdfluid motor, an element driven by said third fluid motor and a sixthconduit I connecting said control conduit and said third fluid motor.

6. A flow responsive device for indicating the rate of flow of a flowingfluid comprising a base relative to which said fluid is'flowing, a shaftpivoted to said base about an. axis disposed perpendicular to thedirection of flow of said fluid, a first lever arm secured to said shaftand extending into said fluid, a second lever arm secured to said shaft,a first fluid motor having relatively movable portions, one portionbeing secured-at one end directly to said second lever arm and the otherportion being secured at the other end to said base, a valve bodymounted on said base, a chamber in said body, said body having a firstand second valve seat forming opposite ends of said chamber, a controlconduit communicating between the interior of said first fluid motor andthe interior of said chamber intermediate said seats, a valve in saidchamber movable to seat and close either said first or second valveseats, an exhaust conduit connecting said first seat to the atmosphere,a source of fluid under constant pressure, a first supply conduitconnecting said second seat to said source, a second fluid motorconnected to said valve to move the same between said seats, a secondsupply conduit having a bleed nozzle secured to said base adjacent tosaid second lever arm, said second lever arm being disposed in pivotingabout said axis to variably restrict flow out of said nozzle, aconnecting conduit containing a restricted orifice therein connectingsaid first and second supply conduits, said second supply conduit beingalso connected to said second fluid motor, and indicating meanscomprising a pressure gage connected to indicate the same pressure as insaid first fluid motor and thereby indicate the rate of flow of saidfluid. LOUIS D. KLEISS.

1 0 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

